System and method for consolidating middleware functionality

ABSTRACT

A server manages middleware communication between the server and a plurality of client terminals through a communication network. The server includes a network interface device that communicates with the plurality of client terminals, storage that stores middleware management operational programs and data, and a processor that executes the middle management operational programs. The server implements a multi-layered marshaling process, which marshals middleware communications between the server and the plurality of terminals, and a consolidated middleware management process, which manages execution of middleware, the multi-layered marshaling process. The consolidated middleware management process is accessible to the plurality of client terminals communicating with the server via a plurality of different types of middleware.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/895,974, filed on Oct. 1, 2010, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/513,309, filed onAug. 31, 2006 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,459 on Nov. 16, 2010.The contents of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/513,309, and12/895,974, are expressly incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to the field of middleware technology,and more particularly, to efficiently utilizing and managing multipletypes of middleware.

2. Background Information

In client-server computing, supporting software known generally asmiddleware facilitates better and more efficient use of resources, andprovides clients access to information to be served on an as-neededbasis. Generally, middleware is a communications layer that allowssoftware applications to interact across various hardware and networkenvironments. Conventional types of middleware used in distributedcomputing include, for example, Common Object Request BrokerArchitecture (CORBA), Java Message Service (JMS) and WebServices, suchas Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)/HTTP or SOAP/JMS. The differenttypes may inhibit communication between clients and services that usedifferent middleware types.

The basic functions of middleware may be logically grouped intotransport, protocol, discovery and application management. Transportincludes the means by which data and instructions are moved in adistributed environment. Examples of transport are transmission controlprotocol (TCP), JMS and HTTP. Protocol is an agreed upon formatting ofdata and instructions, so that both sides of a conversation understandthe message contents. Examples of protocol include Internet Inter-OrbProtocol (IIOP) (used by CORBA) and SOAP. Encoding is essentially asubset of protocol, and is an agreed upon formatting for data. Examplesof encoding include Common Data Representation (CDR) (used by CORBA),External Data Representation (XDR) and SOAP encoding. Discovery includesthe means by which services advertise their availability and likewiseclients find these services to use. Directories and name services suchas LDAP and CORBA naming service are typical implementations.Application management has become a fourth middleware function, largelydue to the relationship between managing the availability of a serviceand updating the directory when service availability changes. Forexample, application management includes registering serviceavailability in the directory when it starts and un-registering theservice when it stops.

The various middlewares function in different ways, but each essentiallyfollows the same general pattern. First, a service corresponding to aparticular interface is created and deployed on networked computingequipment. Second, a service process is started on the network, and“listens” for incoming client calls. Third, the service responds to aknown, published or discoverable interface. Fourth, a service has aprogrammed element, known as an Implementation (e.g., business logic or,in the case of a proxy architecture, delegate), which is plugged intothe middleware, and the middleware is responsible for handing off thenetwork-sent communications and returning any required correspondingdata. Fifth, the service's health is typically monitored, so that sickservices can be restarted, or more service capacity can be added asneeded by quantities of client interactions (collectively known asService Management).

There are a number of types middleware that facilitate the transfer ofdata, for example, between clients and servers. All types of middlewarehave in common a point at which a message, gathered from the network, istransferred, for example, to a memory so that a programming language canreference it. Transforming the memory set into data structures orformats that the program is able to understand is called “marshalling.”In other words, marshalling is the middleware act of transforming aprogram's native data representation to an encoding ready for transport.

Some middleware delivers raw data or messages from a client in eithertext (character based) or binary (byte forms). For example, JMStypically delivers text data, in either Extensible Markup Language (XML)or SOAP format. CORBA, on the other hand, typically delivers binary dataand supports either XDR or CDR marshalling. Regardless of the type ofmiddleware, the data must be understood by both the client and theserver, at least in part, requiring an appropriate interface.

Currently, numerous types of middleware are available, generally havinga wide variety of capabilities. Middleware such as CORBA and EnterpriseJavaBeans (EJB) define transport, protocol and data marshalling as awhole. Middleware such as JMS only defines the transport and someelements of protocol. The freedom of message content in JMS has allowedthe growth of text-based data forms, such as SOAP, in addition to themore traditionally defined binary formats, such as CDR, XDR and thelike. Efficient enterprise integration of services requires that messagecontent be transformed with as little human programming as possible.Accordingly, there are often multiple middlewares available within asingle organization. Typically, either more than one service for eachmiddleware is created, requiring multiple locations for the businesslogic to reside, or one service holds the business logic, requiring theother services to delegate calls to it (i.e., a proxy). These strategiesrequire multiple deployments and management schemes.

Further, the variety of middlewares, created with a number of differentstrengths and followings, is significant. A computing entity, such as abusiness or other enterprise, may not have the funds and resources, oreven the business drivers to keep trading all their existing services tomultiple middlewares, especially in terms of the most recenttechnologies and trends. Additionally, while products are often createdthat can talk as a client to existing services, rarely do they addressthe fact that these existing resources may need to talk to the newservices for legal or other business drivers. Thus, many enterprisesfind themselves needing to support access to key services in a varietyof middlewares and data formats.

Accordingly, a need exists for efficiently integrating and/orcoordinating the implementation, use and management of multipledifferent types of middleware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure provides the detailed description that follows byreference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples, inwhich like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout severalviews of the drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set ofinstructions for performing processing, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary architecture of a server-clientimplementation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flowchart and layering architecture of amulti-path marshalling process, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary architecture of a consolidated middlewaremanagement implementation, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flowchart of the consolidated middlewaremanagement process, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to the integration and management ofvarious types of middleware. This includes two complementary processes:multi-layered marshalling of messages received from the various types ofmiddleware and consolidated management of multiple middleware threads.

The multi-layered marshalling functionality logically resides between ageneric message delivered by the operating middleware and anapplication's Implementation, as defined by an interface. Themulti-layered marshalling creates a set of layered transformations that,at runtime, evaluates the kind or format of message coming in on theservice side (e.g., text or binary), and runs the incoming messagethrough a series of decisions, transformations, logging and otherrequired steps to transform from an “on-the-wire” format to usable Javaobjects. The Java objects calf the implementation (e.g., the businesslogic or delegate), which executes its corresponding logic accordingly.In other words, multi-layered marshalling converts raw data from thepoint of the middleware application program interface (API) and performsa series of transformations until the data is able to be called as aform of arguments to an interface described in Metadata.

After execution, the series of transformations and logging steps may beperformed in reverse order to convert responsive messages back to thewire format. In an embodiment, the same Layer objects may be used toenable the client side, upon writing to the interface, to transform theJava objects to the wire format, and from the wire format to Javaobjects on the reply. For example, this layer framework may consist ofobjects derived from an interface called a “Layer,” which passes anobject derived from an interface called “Record” to the next Layer asdetermined by either a simple “next Layer” mechanism for transformationsand logging, or a decision Layer.

The complementary consolidated middleware management functionalitylogically resides between multiple middlewares and the business logic ordelegate. The consolidated middleware management enables multiplemiddleware threads to be managed through management of a singlemiddleware, even where the multiple threads comprise different types ofmiddleware. After the main middleware is initialized, the consolidatedmiddleware management process determines which other middlewares are tobe supported as slave threads, and becomes the instantiator of each ofthe slave threads. Then, only the main middleware thread is manageddirectly, while the slave middleware threads are managed indirectly inconjunction with the main thread. Otherwise, the consolidated middlewaremanagement process does not affect the functionality and operation ofeach of the middlewares.

The multi-layered marshalling and the consolidated middleware managementare complementary in that records from multiple middlewares, runningcontemporaneously, may be received and marshaled through a multilayeredprocess. Meanwhile, these multiple middlewares may be contemporaneouslymanaged through management of a single, main middleware thread, ratherthan independently managed. In an embodiment, the multi-layeredmarshalling and the consolidated middleware management processes areprovided in a single network management product.

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure, through one or more ofits various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features orsub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of theadvantages as specifically noted below.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for marshallingdata from multiple middleware applications to an implementation. Themethod includes receiving first data from a first middlewareapplication, the first data having a first format of multiple availableformats; selecting a first path from multiple paths based on the firstformat, the paths corresponding to the multiple available formats; andconverting the first data from the first format to a common format basedon the selected first path, the common format being compatible with theimplementation. The method may further include receiving second datafrom a second middleware application, the second data have a secondformat of the multiple available formats; selecting a second path fromthe multiple paths based on the second format; and converting the seconddata from the second format to the common format based on the selectedsecond path.

The first format may include a text-based format or a binary-basedformat. Also, the middleware applications may include at least one of aJMS application and a CORBA application. The first middlewareapplication may include the JMS application, and the first format mayinclude an XML format and a SOAP format. Alternatively, the firstmiddleware application may include the CORBA application, and the firstformat may include an XDR format or a CDR format. The common format maybe a Java format, and the implementation may include a business logic ora delegate.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer readablemedium that stores a program for marshalling data from multiplemiddleware applications to an implementation. The computer readablemedium includes a receiving code segment, a selecting code segment and aconverting code segment. The receiving code segment receives first datafrom a first middleware application, the first data having a firstformat of a multiple available formats. The selecting code segmentselects a first path from multiple paths based on the first format, thepaths corresponding to the available formats. The converting codesegment converts the first data from the first format to a common formatbased on the selected first path, the common format being compatiblewith the implementation. The receiving code segment may further receivesecond data from a second middleware application, the second data have asecond format of the available formats; the selecting code segment mayfurther select a second path from the plurality of paths based on thesecond format; and the converting code segment may further convert thesecond data from the second format to the common format based on theselected second path.

The first format may include, for example, a text-based format or abinary-based format. Also, the multiple middleware applications mayinclude a JMS application, a CORBA application, or the like. Forexample, the first middleware application may be the JMS application,and the first format may be an XML format or a SOAP format.Alternatively, the first middleware application may be the CORBAapplication, and the first format may be an XDR format or a CDR format.The common format may be a Java format, for example. The implementationmay be a business logic or a delegate.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a computerreadable medium that stores a program for marshalling data from aplurality of middleware applications to an implementation through apredetermined logical framework including multiple process layers. Thecomputer readable medium includes a determining code segment, includinga first logical layer, for determining a first path from multiple pathsbased on a first type of data received from a first middlewareapplication; and a first marshalling code segment, including a secondlogical layer and corresponding to the first path, for determining afirst marshalling method for marshalling the first type of data to acommon format, which is compatible with the implementation. Thedetermining code segment may further determine a second path from themultiple paths based on a second type of data received from a secondmiddleware application. In this case, the computer readable mediumfurther includes a second marshalling code segment, including a thirdlogical layer and corresponding to the second path, the secondmarshalling code segment determining a second marshalling method formarshalling the second type of data to the common format.

The various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure aredescribed in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, a description is now provided of an illustrativeembodiment of a general computer system 100, on which the multi-layeredmarshalling process and/or the consolidated middleware managementprocess can be implemented. The computer system 100 can include a set ofinstructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 100 toperform any one or more of the methods or computer based functionsdisclosed herein. The computer system 100 may operate as a standalonedevice or may be connected, e.g., using a network 101, to other computersystems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 100 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner,a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, aweb appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machinecapable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise)that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particularembodiment, the computer system 100 can be implemented using electronicdevices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, whilea single computer system 100 is illustrated, the term “system” shallalso be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems thatindividually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructionsto perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the computer system 100 may include aprocessor 110, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system 100 caninclude a main memory 120 and a static memory 130 that can communicatewith each other via a bus 108. As shown, the computer system 100 mayfurther include a video display unit 150, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat paneldisplay, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 100 may include an input device 160,such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 170, such as a mouse.The computer system 100 can also include a disk drive unit 180, a signalgeneration device 190, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 140.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the disk drive unit180 may include a computer-readable medium 182 in which one or more setsof instructions 184, e.g., software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 184 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 184 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 120,the static memory 130, and/or within the processor 110 during executionby the computer system 100. The main memory 120 and the processor 110also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 182 thatincludes instructions 184 or receives and executes instructions 184responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to anetwork 101 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 101.Further, the instructions 184 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 101 via the network interface device 140.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Using a general computer system as shown in FIG. 1, a process formulti-layered marshalling and/or the consolidated middleware managementmay be provided. The system of FIG. 1 can also operate as variouselements within a network. For example, a program implementing thedisclosure may be loaded and executed on one or more web servers.Alternatively, the program may be run locally on a PC or a serverdedicated to a particular user group or region.

For instance, FIG. 2 shows an exemplary architecture of a server-clientimplementation of the multi-layered marshalling process and/or theconsolidated middleware management process, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows multiple clients, client 210,client 212 and client 214 in communication with a server 220 through acommunications network 205 using known server-client communicationtechniques. The clients 210, 212 and 214, and the server 220 arecomputer systems, for example, as described above with respect to FIG.1, and may consist entirely of software. The application softwareimplementing the multi-layered marshalling process and/or theconsolidated middleware management process runs on the server 220 andmay be accessible to multiple clients communicating via variousmiddleware programs. For example, client 210 may be in communicationusing CORBA middleware, client 212 may be in communication using JMSmiddleware and client 214 may be in communication using any othermiddleware, such as Datagate. However, in alternative embodiments, theapplication software may reside on the client 210, e.g., an IBMcompatible PC, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. Likewise, in an embodiment of the disclosure, thecommunications network 205 may be a packet switching network, such asthe Internet. In alternative embodiments, the communications network 205may include local networks, such as a corporate intranet or Ethernet,without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow diagram according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure, showing sample functionality of the multi-layeredmarshalling process, as implemented, for example, on the server 220shown in FIG. 2. The marshaling addresses the protocol layer, discussedabove, which may be either locked in entirely or totally undefined. Eachoval of FIG. 3 depicts a small process layer, easily related to oneanother. In an embodiment, implementation of the layers is based on the“Decorator Pattern,” defined in Gamma et al, “Design Patterns” (EdisonWesley) (1995), the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in the entirety. Further, additional layers may be includedfor logging, etc., as part of the implementation. Each oval likewiserepresents a step in the marshalling process, and will be referred to assteps in the discussion below.

At step 310, a message received via a particular type of middleware isplaced in a record. For example, a JMS API delivers a generic message,which is placed in a Record object, initiating the marshalling process.The Record object encapsulates the essence of the middleware message,and carries along the data between the structured Layers. Eachindividual Layer performs a discrete transformation of the data,suitable to be the input of next step in the flow. At step 312, a textor binary data path is selected depending on the type or format of datapresented. For example, JMS provides text messages, while CORBA providesbinary messages. The determination of whether the received message istext or binary may be made based on sampling the received data oridentifying the type of middleware, for example.

When the received message is text, such as XML or SOAP formatted data,the process proceeds to step 314, which further determines the type oftext data. For example, in the case of JMS middleware, it may bedetermined at step 314 whether the text message is simple XML or SOAP.When the text is determined to be XML, the process proceeds directly tostep 318, at which the XML data is marshaled to Java objects. The XML istransformed into Java objects using any appropriate tool, such as JavaArchitecture for XML Binding (JAXB) or the process described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/140,576, filed on May 27, 2005, entitled“System and Method for Simple Object Access Protocol access to InterfaceDefinition Language Based Services,” the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in the entirety.

When the text is determined to be SOAP, the process first proceeds tostep 316, in which the XML formatted body of the SOAP message isextracted. Then, this XML data is marshaled to Java objects at step 318using the same path as the raw XML data provided directly from step 314.The Java objects may interface with the Implementation 332.

When at step 312 it is determined that the received message is binary(e.g., when the middleware is CORBA), an appropriate binary marshallingmethod is chosen at step 320. For example, the marshalling methodselected may be XDR implemented at step 322, CDR implemented at step 324or other binary marshalling method implemented at step 326, each ofwhich marshals the binary data to Java objects, compatible with theImplementation 332. Again, a particular transformation or marshallingstep may rely on existing compatible interface tools, such as InterfaceDefinition Language (IDL) based interfaces. The selection of themarshalling method depends on format of the message data.

At step 330, the Java objects are use to call the implementation. Theorigin of the Java objects (e.g., XML formatted text, SOAP formattedtext, binary, etc.) are irrelevant, with respect to the implementation,which sees only the Java objects. The implementation is interfaced tothe Implementation at step 332. A reply (not pictured) by theImplementation flows back along the same call stack as that depicted inFIG. 3. Single call marshalling (e.g., notification) may be supported bysimply not processing a Record on the way back through the Layer stack.

The marshalling process discussed above enables various forms of data,determined at runtime, and multiple kinds of marshalling to be acceptedat the same time with respect to the same service. Also, the variouslayers of code, such as the transformation from an XDR binary streaminto Java objects (e.g., step 322), need to be created only once and maybe reused, as needed, in a clearly defined and efficient manner based onthe operating middlewares. When a new transformation or marshallingprocess is needed, it may be added to the existing framework (e.g., FIG.3) as a separate process layer and implemented as part of themulti-layered marshalling process. In other words, the process layersare modular to the extent they function independently within the overallmulti-layered framework.

An enterprise is provided significant flexibility regarding the types ofmiddleware that it implements and supports and, as a practical matter,reduces the strain of coordinating new large scales releases. Forexample, the multi-layered marshalling process enables communicationsbased on binary-based messaging internal to the enterprise, which isalmost twice as fast as text-based messaging, while maintaining theability to communicate via traditional XML and XML-based languages, suchas Web Service Description Language (WDSL). Therefore, for example, theenterprise may provide XML/WSDL access for external uses and CORBA forinternal uses, thus reducing time, load and overall computer expenses byusing more efficient binary messaging when possible, while not having todeploy or maintain additional services.

In an embodiment, clients may be given a choice to use the optimummarshalling for greater transactional speed (e.g., binary-based), yetmaintain compatibility with XML for Web services (e.g., XML-based).Further, the marshalling process enables existing services to be easilyfitted for new marshalling mechanisms, such as binary XML, as they aredeveloped and otherwise become available, without having to recodeexisting clients or services. The new marshalling format may besupported simply by updating the multi-layered marshalling frameworkwith new transformation layers, and placing them in the network.

In addition to having to marshal messages from different middlewares, anenterprise may also need to support and manage or requirecontemporaneous use of numerous kinds of middleware, which is addressedby the consolidated middleware management process of the presentdisclosure. Typically, each service is designed or implemented to use aparticular middleware, and requires separate deployment, write-up andexecution. More particularly, the service consists of a process thatincludes the transport module or functionality of the middleware. Also,each middleware is managed separately. For example, referring to FIG. 2,the client 210 may communicate with a corresponding service via CORBAmanaged by a CORBA manager; the client 212 may communicate with acorresponding service via JMS, managed by a separate JMS manager; andclient 214 may communicate with a corresponding service via anothermiddleware, such as Datagate, managed by yet another separate manager.In an embodiment, each of the services implement the same businesslogic.

The consolidated middleware management process of the present disclosureenables services to use different types of middleware in addition to theone expected by the middleware package. This reduces costs associatedwith deployment and maintenance of the services, and potentiallyeliminates the need for costly retrofitting of existing clients andservices in the enterprise's computing portfolio. This especiallyadvantageous when the retrofitting provides no real additional value,other than to continue expected functionality within the organization.Further, the consolidated middleware management process provides thesame services and corresponding qualities of service provided by runningmultiple services with the same business logic, while reducing theactual number of deployments and management needs. Thus, theconsolidated middleware management process directly affects the topologyof a given suite of services that would have the same definitions, butbe deployed on different middlewares.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary architecture of the consolidated middlewaremanagement process, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.The consolidated middleware management functionality itself is depictedby block 411, with which the clients 210, 212 and 214 communicate. Asdiscussed above, client 210 still communicates using CORBA, client 212still communicates using JMS and client 214 still communicates usingsome other middleware. However, in the depicted embodiment, the CORBAconnection (from client 210) has been chosen to be the main thread 410for communicating with the Business Logic 420, and thus requiringdeployment only for the main thread 410. Meanwhile, the JMS connection(from client 212) is initiated as the first slave thread 412 and theother middleware connection (from client 214) is initiated as the secondslave thread 414.

Only the main thread 410 is deployed and directly managed, i.e., by themain thread manager 416. The first slave thread 412 and the second slavethread 414 have no dedicated management, and are thus indirectly managedin accordance with the management of the main thread 410. For example,when the main thread 410 is started, the first slave thread 412 and thesecond slave thread 414 are also started. Likewise, when the main thread410 is ended, the first slave thread 412 and the second slave thread 414are also ended. Each of the clients sees no difference in contacting andcommunicating with the service.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flowchart of the consolidated middlewaremanagement process, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Atstep 510, the available types of middleware are identified, for example,CORBA and JMS. A main middleware is selected from among the identifiedmiddleware at step 512. The main middleware may be CORBA, for example,as depicted in the exemplary architecture of FIG. 4.

In an embodiment, the consolidated middleware management functionality411 starts at the initialization stage of the chosen main middleware,and a main middleware thread is started as a root service at step 514.At the point of initialization, the consolidated middleware managementfunctionality 411 passes in the appropriate instructions for theBusiness Logic 420, as well as any handlers. The consolidated middlewaremanagement functionality 411 also determines what other middlewares areto be supported as slave threads at step 515. The consolidatedmiddleware management functionality 411 then becomes the instantiator ofthe slave threads, and starts the initialization process of the firstslave thread and the second slave thread at steps 516 and 518,respectively. Of course, the consolidate middleware management processis intended to support any number of slave threads, without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In an alternativeembodiment, all of the threads can be started at the same time. All ofthe configurations necessary for each middleware may be accomplishedwith a single configuration file, which either points to or contains therespective middleware registrations and other requirements, such as, forexample, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) registrations andCORBA NameService registrations.

The same business logic tree, e.g., of the Business Logic 420, isprovided to each middleware at step 519. In an embodiment, the BusinessLogic 420 is brought up as an instance for each middleware. The mainthread 410 is then managed at step 520. The slave threads 412 and 414are managed in accordance with the management of the main thread 410.Thus, all of the listening entities are able to be managed by the singlemanagement functionality for the root service.

Once started, each middleware then functions according to its nature.They are visible by their respective directory mechanisms, and treatedas such by their respective clients. In an embodiment, each middlewareshares a common Metadata definition, so that the Implementation (e.g.,the Business Logic 420) for each is the same. The consolidatedmiddleware management functionality plays no part in the varioustransactions or communications, but rather address only lifecycle.

In other words, the consolidated middleware management comes into playonly at times when the service is to be controlled, for example, by themain thread manager 416. For example, when the main thread is instructedto close or shut down, the consolidated middleware managementfunctionality 411 calls the equivalent of a “shut down” instruction oneach of the slave threads 412 and 414, performing the requirementsassociated with the associated kind of middleware, so that each threadis closed correctly. These requirements may include, for example,deregistering from a directory service, a name service or otherenterprise-wide resource, closing file accesses, deregistering from alocal orb (e.g., for CORBA), and the like. After each slave thread isended (and errors in shut down handled), the shut down for the mainthread 410 is performed before exiting.

In an embodiment, the consolidated middleware management functionality411 may function within a proxy architecture. A proxy is a pattern whereadditional services are run in the different types of middleware, butthe business logic is actually delegated to a client of the realservice. The consolidated middleware management functionality 411 can bea form of proxy in which all the business logic, e.g., Business Logic420, is a delegated to another service, e.g., an EJB. Thus, by havingthe Business Logic 420 be a Delegate to middleware of an existing type,yet providing middleware access for multiple supported types, deploymentand management may be simplified to the fewest number of instancespossible.

A disadvantage of implementing a conventional proxy is that it requiresanother “network hop,” resulting in additional time needed to delegateto a separate service. Also, there is some additional risk of downtime,since there are two additional services in the chain. However, using theconsolidated middleware management functionality 411, there are noadditional network hops, since each middleware thread can serve directlyto the Business Logic 420. This saves network time and may reducetopological complexity. For example, using conventional proxyarchitecture, it may be difficult for a client to know whether reportederrors originate with the proxy or with the delegate, due to theadditional network hops.

Although FIGS. 3 and 5 depict particular sequences of steps, it isunderstood that the sequences are exemplary to the associatedembodiments, and are not intended to be limiting. For example, inalternative embodiments, the order of the steps may differ, or thevarious steps may occur simultaneously, without affecting the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Also, although depicted linearly, the variousembodiments may be implemented through various programming techniqueswith appropriate arrangements.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. Each of the standards, protocols and languagesrepresent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same or similar functions are consideredequivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within theillustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may beminimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b)and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used tointerpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, inthe foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the invention is to be determined bythe broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been described, it isunderstood that the words that have been used are words of descriptionand illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be madewithin the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and asamended, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention inits aspects. Although the description refers to particular means,materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed, but rather extends to all functionallyequivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope ofthe appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A server that manages middleware communication between the server and a plurality of client terminals through a communication network, the server comprising: a network interface device that communicates with the plurality of client terminals through the communication network; a storage that stores middleware management operational programs and data; and a processor that executes the middle management operational programs, wherein the server implements a multi-layered marshaling process, which marshals middleware communications between the server and the plurality of terminals, and a consolidated middleware management process, which manages execution of middleware, the multi-layered marshaling process and the consolidated middleware management process being accessible to the plurality of client terminals communicating with the server via a plurality of different types of middleware, wherein the server selects and initializes a main middleware to communicate with a first client terminal, after which a slave middleware is selected to communicate with a second client terminal, and wherein the main middleware is managed directly by the consolidated middleware management process and the slave middleware is managed indirectly in accordance with the management of the main middleware, the main middleware causing the slave middleware to start a life cycle after the main middleware is initialized, and to end the life cycle of the slave middleware before the main middleware is closed, while the server continues to manage middleware communication with the plurality of client terminals.
 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the multi-layered marshaling process includes determining a particular type of middleware of the different types of middleware based on a received communication from a client terminal.
 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the determining a particular type of middleware includes identifying the received communication as being one of a text communication and a binary communication.
 4. The server according to claim 3, wherein identifying the received communication includes sampling the received communication.
 5. The server according to claim 3, wherein when the received communication is determined to be a text communication, the server further determines a particular type of the text communication.
 6. The server according to claim 5, wherein the server further processes each particular type of text communication using a different text marshaling sub-process.
 7. The server according to claim 3, wherein when the received communication is determined to be a binary communication, the server further determines a particular type of the binary communication.
 8. The server according to claim 7, wherein the server further processes each particular type of binary communication using a different binary marshaling sub-process.
 9. The server according to claim 3, wherein the server manages each different type of received text communication and each different type of received binary communication using a different marshaling process, with each different marshaling process producing a processed output communication in a common format.
 10. The server according to claim 9, wherein the server uses the processed output communication in the common format to call an implementation.
 11. The server according to claim 1, wherein the consolidated middleware management process includes identifying each type of the plurality of different types of middleware that are being used by the server to communicate with the plurality of client terminals.
 12. The server according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of slave middleware is managed indirectly in accordance with management of the main middleware.
 13. The server according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of slave middleware communicates with the plurality of client terminals except for the first client terminal that communicates with the server using the main middleware.
 14. The server according to claim 13, wherein the main middleware is started first and the main middleware starts life cycles of the plurality of slave middleware.
 15. The server according to claim 14, wherein the main middleware terminates the life cycles of the plurality of slave middleware before shutting down.
 16. The server accordingly to claim 13, wherein the main middleware and the plurality of slave middleware are started at the same time.
 17. The server accordingly to claim 13, wherein controlling the life cycles of the plurality of slave middleware includes starting and terminating the execution of the plurality of slave middleware, without interfering with operational functions of the plurality of slave middleware.
 18. The server according to claim 13, wherein the main middleware and the plurality of slave middleware share a common implementation.
 19. A method for managing middleware communication between a server and a plurality of client terminals through a communication network, the method comprising: storing middleware management operational programs and data in a storage; executing the middleware management operational programs by a processor; and communicating with the plurality of client terminals through the communication network by a network interface device; wherein executing the middleware management operational programs includes implementing a multi-layered marshaling process, which marshals middleware communications between the server and the plurality of terminals, and a consolidated middleware management process, which manages execution of middleware, the multi-layered marshaling process and the consolidated middleware management process being accessible to the plurality of client terminals communicating with the server via a plurality of different types of middleware, wherein the server selects and initializes a main middleware to communicate with a first client terminal, after which a slave middleware is selected to communicate with a second client terminal, and wherein the main middleware is managed directly by the consolidated middleware management process and the slave middleware is managed indirectly in accordance with the management of the main middleware, the main middleware causing the slave middleware to start a life cycle after the main middleware is initialized, and to end the life cycle of the slave middleware before the main middleware is closed, while the server continues to manage middleware communication with the plurality of client terminals.
 20. A tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with an executable computer program for managing middleware communication between a server and a plurality of client terminals through a communication network, comprising: storing middleware management operational programs and data in a storage; executing the middleware management operational programs by a processor; and communicating with the plurality of client terminals through the communication network by a network interface device; wherein executing the middleware management operational programs includes implementing a multi-layered marshaling process, which marshals middleware communications between the server and the plurality of terminals, and a consolidated middleware management process, which manages execution of middleware, the multi-layered marshaling process and the consolidated middleware management process being accessible to the plurality of client terminals communicating with the server via a plurality of different types of middleware, wherein the server selects and initializes a main middleware to communicate with a first client terminal, after which a slave middleware is selected to communicate with a second client terminal, and wherein the main middleware is managed directly by the consolidated middleware management process and the slave middleware is managed indirectly in accordance with the management of the main middleware, the main middleware causing the slave middleware to start a life cycle after the main middleware is initialized, and to end the life cycle of the slave middleware before the main middleware is closed, while the server continues to manage middleware communication with the plurality of client terminals. 